The very best of the current full-backs in the game.
As a little treat here are the 20 best full-backs in world football currently courtesy of CaughtOffside.
SEE ALSO:
Top 20 best dribblers in La Liga.
Chelsea v Arsenal – WAG battle.
New Mario Balotelli WAG Tabby Brown.
20. Gregory van der Wiel, Paris Saint-Germain and Netherlands
The Dutchman likes to break forward at every available opportunity and is an extremely useful outlet for PSG as they look to dominate Ligue 1 once again.
19. Stephan Lichtsteiner, Juventus and Switzerland
Although often plays as a wing-back for Juve this Swiss ace can easily slot back into a more defensive role and Lichtsteiner is also hugely experienced.
18. Lukasz Piszczek, Borussia Dortmund and Poland
May have to share his role with Kevin Groesskreutz, but this Pole edges it for us with his better defensive nous.
17. Serge Aurier, Paris Saint-Germain and Ivory Coast
Had an extremely impressive past 12 months with Toulouse and at the 2014 World Cup and now the right-back needs to kick on in his development.
16. Patrice Evra, Juventus and France
Manchester United wanted to hold onto this 33-year-old over the summer and it’s easy to see why as Evra is a still a brilliant left-back despite his advancing years.
15. Seamus Coleman, Everton and Republic of Ireland
Proved over the past 12 months that he is a top-class player, earning a place in the 2013/14 PFA Team of the Year.
14. Daniel Carvajal, Real Madrid and Spain
After an impressive year with Bayer Leverkusen, Los Blancos bought this 22-year-old back in 2013 and Carvajal is the established first choice right-back at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.
13. Atsuto Uchida, Schalke 04 and Japan
The modern full-back needs to be strong in attack and this Japanese star shows that in abundance for both club and country.
12. Marcelo, Real Madrid and Brazil
May have had a disappointing World Cup in his home nation, but this left-back is still a talent – particularly in attack.
11. Filipe Luis, Chelsea and Brazil
Hasn’t established himself at Stamford Bridge yet following a £15.8m summer switch from Atletico Madrid, but that doesn’t take anything any from Filipe’s usefulness.
10. Leighton Baines, Everton and England
May not have been as impressive as in recent campaigns, but this 29-year-old is still a hugely important figure for the Toffees.
9. Ricardo Rodriguez, Wolfsburg and Switzerland
In a Swiss team that is enjoying a boom period this young left-back continues to be one of the most impressive players.
8. Mathieu Debuchy, Arsenal and France
When Bacary Sagna left the Emirates Stadium for Manchester City manager Arsene Wenger immediately replaced the right-back with an even better Frenchman in Debuchy.
7. Juanfran, Atletico Madrid and Spain
A solid and reliable figure that goes about his work with consistently fine performances and is useful in both defence and attack.
6. Cesar Azpilicueta, Chelsea and Spain
A little over 12 months ago this Spaniard was a periphery figure in West London, but Jose Mourinho has reinvigorated Azpilicueta to become a brilliant full-back on either the left or right.
5. Jordi Alba, FC Barcelona and Spain
Another attacking talent now with Alba fitting perfectly into a Barca system that likes full-backs to almost play as wingers at times.
4. Branislav Ivanovic, Chelsea and Serbia
Not a natural right-back this 30-year-old has had to develop his game and as a result of is time as a central defender Ivanovic is stronger than most at the back.
3. Pablo Zabaleta, Manchester City and Argentina
An often unsung hero this South American is a stalwart for both club and country and is a strong character to boot.
2. David Alaba, Bayern Munich and Austria
The success of this 22-year-old makes it easy to forget how young he still is and Alaba often looks like he could play anywhere down the left flank.
1. Philipp Lahm, Bayern Munich and Germany
Would possibly get into many peoples’ best XI of all time as this 30-year-old is brilliantly consistent whether at right-back, left-back, or even defensive midfield.